Pete Crow-Armstrong is making his case for NL MVP

By the numbers: The 24-year-old is batting .286 with a .388 on-base percentage, .932 OPS, 26 home runs and 71 RBIs across 119 games.

• He's also swiped 30 bases.
• And defensively, he's one of the best outfielders in baseball.

The intrigue: It's been a decade since a Cub won NL MVP. Kris Bryant took home the award in 2016.

• Before Bryant, past Cubs' winners included Sammy Sosa (1998), Andre Dawson (1987), Ryne Sandberg (1984) and Ernie Banks (1958, 1959).

Reality check: PCA is playing at an elite level, but he'll have to outplay reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

• Ohtani's ability to hit and pitch at an All-Star level makes him exceedingly difficult to unseat.
• Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber also leads the league with 35 home runs.

Yes, but: The Dodgers have kept Ohtani from pitching because of a sore knee, while Schwarber is batting below .250.

The bottom line: If PCA keeps hitting for power, stealing bases and prowling center field, he'll have a compelling case to join the Cubs' list of MVP legends.

What's next: The Cubs open a three-game series against the Nationals Tuesday in D.C. before returning home for back-to-back series against the Cardinals and White Sox.